Batteries Crapped Out? Which Ones To Buy?

[HookSetDon]

My batteries crapped out on me, Losing power after a few hours on the water and running slow. When I got home I put the volt meter on them and saw I was getting 13 v on one and 10.8 on the other. I put them on charge over night and measured the power again in the morning, they both went up to 13.8. I noticed the water level was a little low so I topped it off and put them back on charge, after a few minutes they went up to 14.7. The charger went to maintenance mode after a few minutes so I disconnected the charger and put the meter on it again and they are dropping volts every few seconds. Looks like they cant hold a charge, so by the time I get to the water and after a few hours of use they die.

The batteries are interstate marine batteries that came with the boat - the flooded type. With such a massive selection of options for new batteries im not sure what to go with, Cranking amps, cold cranking amps, reserve , etc. looks like they range from 100-300 bucks so theres a pretty big margin depending on what type of battery.

[DON1937]

I don't know which batteries to recommend but I can say that measuring the batteries with a volt meter doesn't give you much information about the condition of your batteries. You would need to have them tested with a "load" on them. Sears (and other service centers) can do this for you.

After much reading I think I'll just go with a name brand battery with a free replacement policy of at least a year and as many marine cranking amps as I can get for around $100.

[NitroZ9]

For the money, it's hard to beat the Walmart Maxx batteries. I've had real good luck with them and they have an 18 month replacement warranty. If you have a problem, you can find a Walmart everywhere.

[BassinLou]

How long have you had the batteries for? They could be at there end already. I personally have Die Hard batteries with sears. They have treated me well with no issues.

[HookSetDon]

Ive had them for 4 years now, I was looking into the everstar maxx. Maybe ill just pull the trigger on them

[Fishing Rhino]

It's not so much the years. It's the cycles, discharge - recharge, and the "depth" of discharge. Batteries don't have an infinite shelf life, but If you used them every day, for a few hours, they might not last a year.

[BassinLou]

Sounds like its time to pull the trigger then.

[Jig Man]

I have used a lot of batteries over the years. I am on my second year of AGMs and they are working great. I even put one on the cranking motor.

If you got wet cell then reserve amps or reserve capacity it the thing to go for 180 or more.

[scbassin]

Interstate Marine are good batteries And 4 years is a good life span.

[South FLA]

bang for buck=Walmart everstart marine maxx

Top of line = odyssey or sears die hard platinum AGMs (same batteries)

Money no object=lithionics (more power,much lighter, faster boat, big bucks $900-$1200 each)

[DON1937]

I picked up the MAXX Friday and used it some today. Very strong!. 2 year free replacement!

[jerzeeD]

Interstate Marine are good batteries And 4 years is a good life span.c

This.... I got a group 29 interstate for 95 bucks 2 seasons ago. It has great stats and has showed no signs of weakening after regular use. It is heavy though. But it runs my 45 lb. thrust TM and depthfinder and has never run out of juice on me. My buddies call it "The beast".

[HookSetDon]

I have yet to buy them yet, the trays in my nitro z6 can carry group 27s , I would like to get the maxx 29s but may have to see about switching out the trays with larger ones or modifying the current ones to hold the 29s. I saw the everstart 27s but doesnt look like they have maxxs in the 27